Mail-box.



F. O. BATES.

MAIL BOX.

APPLIOATIOHIILED FEB. 10, 1909.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

'IINVENTOR f FRANCIS C. BA-rzs. svf gfggz WITNESSES,

HIS ATTORNEY.

ANDREW. B. mmuu 00., mom unmamvuzn FRANCIS O. BATES, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 10, 1909. Serial No. 477,056.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANGIs 0.. Barns,

citizen of the United States,residing at San for holding packages, not capable of being placed within the box.

It also comprises the combination of parts,

and details of construction which willbe more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which F'gure l is a perspective view of the box. 2 is a plan view of the blank. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the latching device as seen from the interior of the box.

It is the object of my invention to so construct a letter-box that it may be formed of a single sheet of su'fiiciently strong metal, so stamped that it can be folded into the desired form, and the parts secured by rivets,

' thus making an exceedingly cheap and durable box.

The plate from which the box is made is stamped to form a back portion A, a bottom portion 2, and a front 3, which front has the door opening 4 cut through it. The sides 5 are formed as extensions of the back A, and by means of slots or channels 6, the lower edges of the sides 5 are separated from the bottom. Other slots 6 separate the op posite side of the bottom from the front, and the upper ends of the sides are curved and separated from the top of the part A by slots as shown at 7. From these slots 7 the part8 extends, which is designed to be curved over to form the dome of the box, and which has the letter-receiving slot 9 formed transversely across it. The front is extended upon each side, as shown at 10; these extensions cor responding with the side-extensions 5 of the back A, and the upper ends of the extensions 10 are curved as shown at 11, to correspond with the curved upper ends of the part 5.

a The box is then assembled by suitable folding dies; the back being turned up on a line be- .junetion with this device tween the slots 6, and the front similarly turned up on a line between the slots 6. The sides 5 and 10 are then folded at right angles with the back A, and the front 3, and overlap each other. The extensions between the slots 6 and 6 are folded upwardly and are intended to lie between the sides 5 and 10. The dome 8 is curved over to form the top, and rests upon the arched upper ends of the parts 5 and 10, and all these overlapping parts are then secured by rivets without the need of any other attachments. A box thus formed is strong and durable. The part forming the dome 8 extends sufficiently beyond the line of rivets which secures it to the front, to form an outwardly projecting lip 8*, which overhangs the door opening 4, and delivers any drip or moisture beyond the plane of the door. The slot 9 through which letters are introduced in the top of the dome, is protected by a cover 12; the rear edge of which is hinged to the rearportion of the'dome, and by means of a spring 13, this cap or cover is normally closed, thus sealing the letter-opening. /Vhen lifted, it exposes the opening and after letters have been introduced, it will close itself when released. Tongues 12 are here shown projecting from the front edge of the cover 12, and these may be of any desired length, and having an upward curvature, they serve to hold papers which cannot be introduced into the box. The door 14 is also stamped of suffieiently stifl sheet metal, and is hinged at one side of the door-opening, so that,-when closed, it covers the opening.

15 is a spring latch which is adapted to engage the edge of the door when the latter is closed, and thus prevent its-being opened except by the exertion of a little force, but the latch will readily yield to allow the door to be closed or opened.

17 are lugs projecting from the door, and from the side of the box front, having registering openings, through which a padlock or other fastening may be attached, if desired.

A look 18 may be attached to the inside of the door. Said lock may be a spring lock, and it may be provided with a catch 19 which will serve to hold the bolt of the lock back when desired, so that the door will only be held in place by the spring latch, or by other locking device. VJhen the lock is to be used, the catch is disengaged, and the closing of the door will also look it so that a key must be used to again 0 en it. In conl have shown a Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

signal 20 which is mounted upon an arm 21. This arm extends through a sleeve fixed in the door front, and its inner end 22, is so bent that. it forms a latching device which operates as follows: The signal flag 20 is designed to show by its position when there are letters in the box, or when the box is empty. Thus, when the arm is turned down so that the signal is near the bottom of the box, it indicates that the box does not contain anything. When'a letter has been placed in the box by the carrier for the patrons, or by the patrons for the carrier to collect, the party thus placing theletter turns the signal up, so that it is exposed near the upper part of the box. The inturned end of the rod which carries the signal will, under these conditions, engage the inner side of the box front, and will thus form an independent locking device, which will hold the door closed, independent of the other fastenings heretofore mentioned.

It is sometimes found necessary to leave cards or photographs of considerable size, which cannot be placed in the box, and which will not lie properly on the upturned arms 12. Such cards may be introduced between the arm 21 of the signal, and the front projecting edge or overhang 8 of the dome or roof of the box; the signal rod holding them perfectly in place until their removal.

jecting within the box adapted. to lock the same when the signal is exposed.

2. A mail-box formed by folding a single sheet of metal to form back, front, sides, bottom and top, having a letter-opening through the top, and a spring-actuated cover therefor, a door hinged and closable upon the front, a spring catch adapted. to engage the edge of the door when closed, and a signal having an arm with a bent inner end adapted to engage the inner side of the box front, and lock the door when the signal is exposed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRAN C18 0. BATES.

Witnesses:

V. A.- Krums, R. E. WVALno. 

